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Close correlation between Sr/Ca ratios in bulk sediments from the southern Cape Basin and the SPECMAP record

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Abstract

High-resolution records of Ca and Sr were obtained from shipboard XRF analyses of bulk sediments in five gravity cores from the southern Cape Basin, South Atlantic Ocean. Sr/Ca ratios display regular glacial/interglacial variations of 14–40% and reveal a close correlation with the SPECMAP record, minimum Sr/Ca ratios appearing during glacial (δ18 O) maxima, distinct increases during periods of deglaciation, and highest ratios in interstadials. Shifts in carbonate-producing phytoplankton and/or zooplankton assemblages over glacial/interglacial cycles are suggested to be the main cause for the observed variations in Sr/Ca patterns. Quick assessment of the relationship between Sr/Ca ratios and the SPECMAP record made it possible to easily transfer an age model to the newly collected cores already during the cruise.

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Acknowledgements

Karsten Enneking, Silvana Hessler, Luzie Schnieders and Rainer Zahn are gratefully acknowledged for helping with the laboratory work during RV Meteor cruise M 57-1. We thank the captain and crew members of this expedition, and Ralph Schneider who, as chief scientist of this leg, took care of organisation and the selection of sites. This research has benefited greatly from discussions with Syee Weldeab and from many helpful suggestions by W.H. Berger. Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft as part of the DFG-Research Center “Ocean Margins” of the University of Bremen Project No. RCOM0207.

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  1. Fachbereich 5 Geowissenschaften, University of Bremen, P.O. Box 330440, 28359, Bremen, Germany

    Katharina Wien, Martin Kölling & Horst D. Schulz

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  1. Katharina Wien
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  2. Martin Kölling
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Correspondence to Katharina Wien.

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Wien, K., Kölling, M. & Schulz, H.D. Close correlation between Sr/Ca ratios in bulk sediments from the southern Cape Basin and the SPECMAP record. Geo-Mar Lett 25, 265–271 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00367-005-0211-8

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